Acquiring system information

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for system information delivery. One apparatus includes a processing unit and a transceiver. The processing unit acquires a system information block (“SIB”) for a first cell using an initial active downlink bandwidth part (“DL BWP”) and establishes a radio resource control (“RRC”) connection with the first cell based on the acquired SIB. The transceiver transmits an indication of one or more SIBs necessary for remote unit operation to a network entity, wherein the processing unit switches to a first DL BWP, the first DL BWP being different from the initial active DL BWP.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/617,715 entitled “SYSTEM INFORMATION DELIVERY IN A WIDEBANDCARRIER” and filed on Jan. 12, 2018 for Hyejung Jung, Prateek BasuMallick, Joachim Löhr, Vijay Nangia, Ravi Kuchibhotla, and Robert Love,which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to wirelesscommunications and more particularly relates to acquiring systeminformation, e.g., using a wideband carrier.

BACKGROUND

The following abbreviations are herewith defined, at least some of whichare referred to within the following description.

The following abbreviations are herewith defined, at least some of whichare referred to within the following description: Third GenerationPartnership Project (“3GPP”), Fifth-Generation Core (“5GC”), Access andMobility Management Function (“AMF”), Access Point Name (“APN”), AccessStratum (“AS”), Bandwidth Adaptation (“BA”), Bandwidth Part (“BWP”),Binary Phase Shift Keying (“BPSK”), Block Error Rate (“BLER”), CarrierAggregation (“CA”), Cell-Specific Radio Network Temporary Identifier(“C-RNTI”), Clear Channel Assessment (“CCA”), Cyclic Prefix (“CP”),Common Search Space (“C-SS”), Control Element (“CE”), CyclicalRedundancy Check (“CRC”), Channel State Information (“CSI”), CommonSearch Space (“C-SS”), Data Radio Bearer (“DRB,” e.g., carrying userplane data), Demodulation Reference Signal (“DM-RS”), DiscontinuousReception (“DRX”), Discrete Fourier Transform Spread (“DFTS”), DownlinkControl Information (“DCI”), Downlink (“DL”), Downlink Pilot Time Slot(“DwPTS”), Enhanced Clear Channel Assessment (“eCCA”), Evolved Node B(“eNB”), Evolved Packet Core (“EPC”), Evolved UMTS Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (“E-UTRAN”), Guard Period (“GP”), General Packet RadioService (“GPRS”), Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”),Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (“HARQ”), Internet-of-Things (“IoT”),Listen-Before-Talk (“LBT”), Logical Channel (“LCH”), Long Term Evolution(“LTE”), Master Information Block (“MIB”), Medium Access Control(“MAC”), Master Cell Group (“MCG”), Modulation Coding Scheme (“MCS”),Machine Type Communication (“MTC”), Mobility management Entity (“MME”),Multiple Input Multiple Output (“MIMO”), Multi User Shared Access(“MUSA”), Narrowband (“NB”), Next Generation (e.g., 5G) Node-B (“gNB”),Next Generation Radio Access Network (“NG-RAN”), New Radio (“NR”, e.g.,5G radio access), New Data Indicator (“NDI”), Non-Orthogonal MultipleAccess (“NOMA”), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”),Packet Data Convergence Protocol (“PDCP”), Primary Cell (“PCell”),Physical Broadcast Channel (“PBCH”), Packet Data Network (“PDN”),Protocol Data Unit (“PDU”), Physical Downlink Control Channel (“PDCCH”),Physical Downlink Shared Channel (“PDSCH”), Physical Hybrid ARQIndicator Channel (“PHICH”), Physical Random Access Channel (“PRACH”),Physical Resource Block (“PRB”), Physical Uplink Control Channel(“PUCCH”), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (“PUSCH”), Quality of Service(“QoS”), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (“QPSK”), Radio Link Control(“RLC”), Radio Resource Control (“RRC”), Random-Access Procedure(“RACH”), Radio Network Temporary Identifier (“RNTI”), Reference Signal(“RS”), Reference Signal Received Power (“RSRP”), Remaining MinimumSystem Information (“RMSI”), Resource Block Assignment (“RBA”), RoundTrip Time (“RTT”), Receive (“RX”), Signaling Radio Bearer (“SRB,” e.g.,carrying control plane data), Single Carrier Frequency Division MultipleAccess (“SC-FDMA”), Secondary Cell (“SCell”), Secondary Cell Group(“SCG”), Shared Channel (“SCH”), Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio(“SINR”), Service Data Unit (“SDU”), Sequence Number (“SN”), SessionManagement Function (“SMF”), System Information (“SI”), SystemInformation Block (“SIB”), Synchronization Signal (“SS”), TransportBlock (“TB”), Transport Block Size (“TBS”), Time-Division Duplex(“TDD”), Time Division Multiplex (“TDM”), Time Division Orthogonal CoverCode (“TD-OCC”), Transmission Time Interval (“TTI”), Transmit (“TX”),Uplink Control Information (“UCI”), User Entity/Equipment (MobileTerminal) (“the UE”), Uplink (“UL”), User Plane (“UP”), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (“UMTS”), Uplink Pilot Time Slot (“UpPTS”),Wireless Local Area Network (“WLAN”), and Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (“WiMAX”). As used herein, “HARQ-ACK” may representcollectively the Positive Acknowledge (“ACK”) and the NegativeAcknowledge (“NACK”). ACK means that a TB is correctly received whileNACK (or NAK) means a TB is erroneously received.

In mobile communication networks, a bandwidth part (“BWP”) consisting ofa group of contiguous physical resource blocks (“PRBs”) is used in 3GPPNew Radio (“NR”) to support at least: reduced user equipment (“UE”)bandwidth (“BW”) capability, UE BW adaptation, frequency divisionmultiplexing (“FDM”) of multiple numerologies (e.g., subcarrierspacings), and use of non-contiguous spectrum. A connected mode UE maybe configured, e.g., UE-specifically and semi-statically, with a singleor multiple active BWP(s) for a single carrier. The bandwidth of a BWPis smaller than or equal to the maximum UE bandwidth capability.However, the bandwidth of a BWP is at least as large as a bandwidth of aSS/PBCH block (e.g., a synchronization signal/physical broadcast channelblock), wherein the SS/PBCH block comprises primary and secondarysynchronization signals and PBCH.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Methods for SI delivery in a wideband carrier are disclosed. Apparatusesand systems also perform the functions of the methods. The methods mayalso be embodied in one or more computer program products comprisingexecutable code.

In one embodiment, a first method for SI delivery in a wideband carrierincludes acquiring a system information block for a first cell in aninitial active DL BWP and establishing a RRC connection with the firstcell based on the acquired SIB. The first method includes transmittingan indication of one or more SIBs necessary for UE operation to anetwork entity and switching to a first DL BWP. Here, the first DL BWPis different from the initial active DL BWP. Also, the indication of theone or more SIBs necessary for remote unit operation may be transmittedvia higher layer signaling.

In another embodiment, a second method for SI delivery in a widebandcarrier includes receiving one or more paging occasion configurations ina SIB and determining a paging frame and a paging occasion identitywithin the paging frame based on at least one of: a UE identity and adiscontinuous reception (“DRX”) cycle length. The second method includesselecting a paging occasion configuration from the received one or morepaging occasion configurations. Here, the selected paging occasionconfiguration is associated with the determined paging occasionidentity. The second method also includes determining a paging slot anda paging symbol within the determined paging slot based on the selectedpaging occasion configuration. The second method also includes decodinga PDCCH carrying paging DCI on the determined paging symbol within thedetermined paging slot of the determined paging frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only some embodiments and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of scope, the embodiments will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system for SI delivery;

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a networkarchitecture for SI delivery;

FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of a TRP deployment and UEassociation for SI delivery in a wideband carrier;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment ofSS/PBCH block transmissions, common search space configurations forSS/PBCH blocks, and active BWP configurations for UEs;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process for initialSI acquisition;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process foracquiring modified SI when C-SS is configured for the active DL BWP;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a process foracquiring modified SI when C-SS is configured for the active DL BWP;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process foracquiring modified SI when C-SS is not configured for the active DL BWP;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a process foracquiring modified SI when C-SS is not configured for the active DL BWP;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of paging-SearchSpaceinformation element used for receiving a paging message;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of auser equipment apparatus for SI delivery in a wideband carrier;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a methodfor SI delivery; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a methodfor receiving a paging message.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of theembodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or programproduct. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects.

For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a hardwarecircuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (“VLSI”) circuitsor gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips,transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments mayalso be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logicdevices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments mayinclude one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code whichmay, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodiedin one or more computer readable storage devices storing machinereadable code, computer readable code, and/or program code, referredhereafter as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non-transitory,and/or non-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. Ina certain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals foraccessing code.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized.The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium.The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing thecode. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic,micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage devicewould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory(“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,”“having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,”unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of itemsdoes not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive,unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the”also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples ofprogramming, software modules, user selections, network transactions,database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardwarecircuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however,that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of anembodiment.

Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference toschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams of methods,apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. Itwill be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagramsand/or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams, can beimplemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of ageneral-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the schematic flowchartdiagrams and/or schematic block diagrams.

The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devicesto function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe storage device produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions which implement the function/act specified in the schematicflowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams.

The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, orother devices to produce a computer implemented process such that thecode which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatusprovide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in theschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagram.

The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in theFigures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and programproducts according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block inthe schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one ormore executable instructions of the code for implementing the specifiedlogical function(s).

It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in theFigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalentin function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portionsthereof, of the illustrated Figures.

The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements ofproceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures,including alternate embodiments of like elements.

As noted above, 5G NR supports BWP, namely a group of contiguous PRBswhose collective bandwidth is smaller than or equal to the maximum UEbandwidth capability, but at least as large as a bandwidth of a SS/PBCHblock. Different UEs' BWPs may fully or partially overlap, and it is upto a network entity, e.g., a gNodeB (“gNB”) or other suitable RAN node,to coordinate scheduling of different UEs' BWPs. Configurationparameters of a BWP may include numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing), afrequency location (e.g., center frequency), and a bandwidth (e.g.,number of PRBs). A given BWP may or may not contain a SS/PBCH block.

Multiple SS/PBCH blocks can be transmitted within a bandwidth of acarrier. However, from UE perspective, a cell is associated with asingle SS/PBCH block in frequency domain. Further, a cell-definingSS/PBCH block has an associated essential system information block(s),for example, System Information Block Type1 (“SIB1”) and/or SystemInformation Block Type2 (“SIB2”) which includes, so called, ‘remainingminimum system information (“RMSI”)’, system information not included ina master information block (“MIB”) but essential to accessing to a cell.Multiple cell-defining SS/PBCH blocks associated with a common NE andtransmitted in the bandwidth of the carrier may or may not have commonsystem information.

System information (“SI”) messages, each of which includes at least onesystem information block, may be transmitted within periodicallyoccurring time domain windows (referred to as SI-windows) using dynamicscheduling. Each SI message is associated with a SI-window and theSI-windows of different SI messages may or may not overlap. A SI-windowlength may be configurable and may or may not be common for all SImessages. Within a given SI-window, a corresponding SI message can betransmitted a number of times. UE can acquire detailed time andfrequency domain scheduling and other information from decoding physicaldownlink control channel (“PDCCH”) addressed by a systeminformation-radio network temporary identifier (“SI-RNTI”). For asecondary cell (“SCell”), a network entity provides UE with the requiredSI by dedicated signaling. Upon change of relevant SI, the networkentity releases and adds back the concerned SCell with the updated SIfor the UE. However, signaling of updated SI via cell release andaddition procedures may not be suitable for a primary cell (“PCell”) orprimary secondary cell (“PSCell”).

Disclosed herein are methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer-programproducts to perform (re)-acquiring system information (“SI”) within awideband carrier, wherein the wideband carrier refers to a carrier whichincludes one or more cell-defining SS/PBCH blocks associated with acommon network entity (e.g., a base station).

FIG. 1 depicts a wireless communication system 100 for receiving systeminformation at a UE, according to embodiments of the disclosure. In oneembodiment, the wireless communication system 100 includes at least oneremote unit 105, a radio access network (“RAN”) 120, and a mobile corenetwork 140. The RAN 120 and the mobile core network 140 form a mobilecommunication network. The RAN 120 may be composed of a base unit 110with which the remote unit 105 communicates using wireless communicationlinks 115. Even though a specific number of remote units 105, base units110, wireless communication links 115, RANs 120, and mobile corenetworks 140 are depicted in FIG. 1, one of skill in the art willrecognize that any number of remote units 105, base units 110, wirelesscommunication links 115, RANs 120, and mobile core networks 140 may beincluded in the wireless communication system 100.

In one implementation, the wireless communication system 100 iscompliant with the 5G system specified in the 3GPP specifications. Moregenerally, however, the wireless communication system 100 may implementsome other open or proprietary communication network, for example, LTEor WiMAX, among other networks. The present disclosure is not intendedto be limited to the implementation of any particular wirelesscommunication system architecture or protocol.

In one embodiment, the remote units 105 may include computing devices,such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants(“PDAs”), tablet computers, smart phones, smart televisions (e.g.,televisions connected to the Internet), smart appliances (e.g.,appliances connected to the Internet), set-top boxes, game consoles,security systems (including security cameras), vehicle on-boardcomputers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, modems), or thelike. In some embodiments, the remote units 105 include wearabledevices, such as smart watches, fitness bands, optical head-mounteddisplays, or the like. Moreover, the remote units 105 may be referred toas the UEs, subscriber units, mobiles, mobile stations, users,terminals, mobile terminals, fixed terminals, subscriber stations, userterminals, wireless transmit/receive unit (“WTRU”), a device, or byother terminology used in the art.

The remote units 105 may communicate directly with one or more of thebase units 110 in the RAN 120 via uplink (“UL”) and downlink (“DL”)communication signals. Furthermore, the UL and DL communication signalsmay be carried over the wireless communication links 115. Here, the RAN120 is an intermediate network that provides the remote units 105 withaccess to the mobile core network 140.

In some embodiments, the remote units 105 communicate with anapplication server 151 via a network connection with the mobile corenetwork 140. For example, an application 107 (e.g., web browser, mediaclient, telephone/VoIP application) in a remote unit 105 may trigger theremote unit 105 to establish a PDU session (or other data connection)with the mobile core network 140 via the RAN 120. The mobile corenetwork 140 then relays traffic between the remote unit 105 and theapplication server 151 in the packet data network 150 using the PDUsession. Note that the remote unit 105 may establish one or more PDUsessions (or other data connections) with the mobile core network 140.As such, the remote unit 105 may concurrently have at least one PDUsession for communicating with the packet data network 150 and at leastone PDU session for communicating with another data network (not shown).

The base units 110 may be distributed over a geographic region. Incertain embodiments, a base unit 110 may also be referred to as anaccess terminal, an access point, a base, a base station, a Node-B, aneNB, a gNB, a Home Node-B, a relay node, or by any other terminologyused in the art. The base units 110 are generally part of a radio accessnetwork (“RAN”), such as the RAN 120, that may include one or morecontrollers communicably coupled to one or more corresponding base units110. These and other elements of radio access network are notillustrated but are well known generally by those having ordinary skillin the art. The base units 110 connect to the mobile core network 140via the RAN 120.

The base units 110 may serve a number of remote units 105 within aserving area, for example, a cell or a cell sector, via a wirelesscommunication link 115. The base units 110 may communicate directly withone or more of the remote units 105 via communication signals.Generally, the base units 110 transmit DL communication signals to servethe remote units 105 in the time, frequency, and/or spatial domain.Furthermore, the DL communication signals may be carried over thewireless communication links 115. The wireless communication links 115may be any suitable carrier in licensed or unlicensed radio spectrum.The wireless communication links 115 facilitate communication betweenone or more of the remote units 105 and/or one or more of the base units110.

In one embodiment, the mobile core network 140 is a 5G core (“5GC”) orthe evolved packet core (“EPC”), which may be coupled to a packet datanetwork 150, like the Internet and private data networks, among otherdata networks. A remote unit 105 may have a subscription or otheraccount with the mobile core network 140. Each mobile core network 140belongs to a single public land mobile network (“PLMN”). The presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementation of anyparticular wireless communication system architecture or protocol.

The mobile core network 140 includes several network functions (“NFs”).As depicted, the mobile core network 140 includes multiple user planefunctions (“UPFs”) 145. The mobile core network 140 also includesmultiple control plane functions including, but not limited to, anAccess and Mobility Management Function (“AMF”) 141 that serves the RAN120, a Session Management Function (“SMF”) 143, and a Policy ControlFunction (“PCF”) 147. In certain embodiments, the mobile core network140 may also include an Authentication Server Function (“AUSF”), aUnified Data Management function (“UDM”) 149, a Network RepositoryFunction (“NRF”) (used by the various NFs to discover and communicatewith each other over APIs), or other NFs defined for the 5GC.

Although specific numbers and types of network functions are depicted inFIG. 1, one of skill in the art will recognize that any number and typeof network functions may be included in the mobile core network 140.Moreover, where the mobile core network 140 is an EPC, the depictednetwork functions may be replaced with appropriate EPC entities, such asan MME, S-GW, P-GW, HSS, and the like. In certain embodiments, themobile core network 140 may include a AAA server.

In various embodiments, the mobile core network 140 supports differenttypes of mobile data connections and different types of network slices,wherein each mobile data connection utilizes a specific network slice.Here, a “network slice” refers to a portion of the mobile core network140 optimized for a certain traffic type or communication service. Incertain embodiments, the various network slices may include separateinstances of network functions, such as the SMF 143 and UPF 145. In someembodiments, the different network slices may share some common networkfunctions, such as the AMF 141. The different network slices are notshown in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration, but their support is assumed.

While FIG. 1 depicts components of a 5G RAN and a 5G core network, thedescribed embodiments for SI delivery 125 in a wideband carrier apply toother types of communication networks, including IEEE 802.11 variants,UMTS, LTE variants, CDMA 2000, Bluetooth, and the like. For example, inan LTE variant, the AMF 141 may be mapped to an MME, the SMF 143 may bemapped to a control plane portion of a PGW, the UPF 145 may be mapped toa STW and a user plane portion of the PGW, etc.

A base unit 110, one example of a network entity, may periodicallybroadcast all or part of system information blocks (SIBs) in an initialactive downlink (DL) BWP of a cell. A remote unit 105 initially acquiresrelevant SIBs for a PCell (or PSCell) in the initial active DL BWPeither from broadcast signaling or from on-demand SI request procedure.If the initial active DL BWP is an active DL BWP for the remote unit105, the remote unit 105 continues acquiring SI for the PCell (PSCell)in the initial active DL BWP. In one example, the base unit 110 sendsshort paging messages (e.g., a systemInfoModification message, aCommercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS)-Indication, an Earthquake andTsunami Warning System (ETWS)-Indication, etc.) in paging downlinkcontrol information (DCI) and the remote unit 105 (re)-acquires updatedSI for the PCell (or PSCell) (and/or an urgent notification after) byreceiving the paging DCI carrying the short paging messages.

At a given time, if none of active DL BWP(s) for the remote unit 105 issame as the initial active DL BWP of the PCell (or PSCell), then theremote unit 105 employs one or more of the below described proceduresfor (re)-acquiring the broadcast SIBs. In various embodiments, a commonsearch space (“C-SS”), which includes a set of PDCCH candidates whereinthe set of PDCCH candidates may include PDCCHs for a group of UEs in acell, or all the UEs in the cell, is configured in an active DL BWP. Inother embodiments, no C-SS is configured for any of the active DLBWP(s). These scenarios are discussed in detail below.

Note that in the C-SS, PDCCHs which are supposed to be received/decodedby a group of UEs in a cell, or all the UEs in the cell, can betransmitted. In contrast, in a UE-specific search space (“U-SS”), PDCCHswhich are supposed to be received/decoded only by the specific UE can betransmitted. In some embodiments, during (or after) radio resourcecontrol (“RRC”) connection establishment, the remote unit 105 informs(and later updates) the base unit 110 of which SIBs it is interested invia a higher layer signaling, e.g., using a RRC message or a mediumaccess control (MAC) bitmap.

FIG. 2A depicts a network 200 used for SI delivery, according toembodiments of the disclosure. The network 200 includes a UE 205 and aRAN node 210 (e.g., a transmission and reception point (“TRP”)). Thenetwork 200 depicts a simplified embodiment of the wirelesscommunication system 100. The UE 205 may be one embodiment of the remoteunit 105, while the RAN node 210 may be one embodiment of the base unit110. Here, the RAN node 210 may be a gNB or other suitable base station.Although only one UE 205 is depicted, in other embodiments the RAN node210 may serve a plurality of the UEs 205.

FIG. 2B illustrates exemplary deployment 250 of TRP and UE associationused for SI delivery, according to embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3illustrates exemplary wideband carriers of the deployment 250 of FIG.2B. The deployment 250 depicts a simplified embodiment of the wirelesscommunication system 100. The deployment 250 includes at least a firstUE (“UE1”) 255, a second UE (“UE2”) 265, and a third UE (“UE3”) 275, aswell as at least a first TRP (“TRP1”) 260, a second TRP (“TRP2”) 270,and a third (“TRP3”) TRP 280. In other embodiments, different numbers ofUEs 205 and gNBs 210 may exist in the deployment 250.

The UEs 255, 265, and 275 may be embodiments of the UE 205 and/or theremote unit 105. The TRPs 260, 270, and 280 may be embodiments of theRAN node 210 and/or the base unit 110. Here, the TRPs 260, 270, and 280may be a gNB or other suitable base station. Although each TRP isdepicted as serving only one UE, in other embodiments each of the TRPs260, 270, and 280 may serve a plurality of UEs 205. The TRPs 260, 270,and 280 operate in the same wideband carrier (see operating bandwidth320). Here, the TRPs 260, 270, and 280 provide different spatialcoverage and transmit respective cell-defining SS/PBCH blocks indifferent frequency locations of the wideband carrier, as shown in FIG.3.

According to FIGS. 2B and 3, the first UE 255 (e.g., UE1) is associatedwith SS/PBCH block1 325, such that the first TRP 260 transmits SS/PBCHblock1 325 to the first UE 255. Similarly, the second UE 265 (e.g., UE2)is associated with SS/PBCH block2 330, such that the second TRP 270transmits SS/PBCH block2 330 to the second UE 265. Likewise, the thirdUE 275 (e.g., UE3) is associated with SS/PBCH block3 335, such that thethird TRP 280 transmits SS/PBCH block3 335 to the third UE 275.

FIG. 3 depicts wideband carrier operation 300, in the deployment 250.TRP1 transmission 305 include the SS/PBCH Block1 325 and transmissionsto the first UE 255. TRP2 transmission 310 include the SS/PBCH Block2330 and transmissions to the second UE 265. TRP3 transmission 315include the SS/PBCH Block3 335 and transmissions to the third UE 275. Aninitial active DL BWP of the first UE 255 includes the SS/PBCH Block1325. An initial active DL BWP of the second UE 265 includes the SS/PBCHBlock2 330. An initial active DL BWP of the third UE 275 includes theSS/PBCH Block3 335. FIG. 3 also depicts a C-SS 345 for SS/PBCH Block1, aC-SS 355 for SS/PBCH Block2, and a C-SS 365 for SS/PBCH Block3.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the first UE 255 has switched active DL BWPs fromits initial DL BWP (e.g., default DL BWP) to DL BWP 340. Likewise, thesecond UE 265 has switched active DL BWPs from its initial DL BWP (e.g.,default DL BWP) to DL BWP 350. Thus, the current active BWPs for thefirst UE 255 and the second UE 265 no longer contain the SS/PBCH blocksfor their respected cells (e.g., SS/PBCH Block1 325 and SS/PBCH Block2330, respectively). However, the active DL BWP 360 for the third UE 275includes the SS/PBCH Block3 335 (and C-SS 365 for SS/PBCH Block3 335)and is assumed to be the initial DL BWP.

Note that the first UE 255 is configured with C-SS for SS/PBCH Block1325 in its active DL BWP 340 (e.g., DL BWP 340 includes C-SS 345).However, the second UE is not configured with C-SS for SS/PBCH Block2330 in its active DL BWP 350 (e.g., DL BWP 350 does not include C-SS355). In some embodiments, the first TRP 260 may transmit all or a partof SIBs associated with SS/PBCH block1 in the active DL BWP for UE1 340.In certain embodiments, the first UE 255 monitors the C-SS 345 for apaging message indicating updated SI. If the first UE 255 receives (inthe C-SS 345 of the active DL BWP 340) paging DCI and/or a paging PDSCHindicating SI modification, two approaches are possible:

In a first approach, the first UE 255 switches to the initial active DLBWP after reception of paging DCI and/or the paging PDSCH indicating SImodification. The first UE 255 also updates itself with the changed SIof the PCell or PSCell by receiving SIB(s) transmitted on the initialactive DL BWP. That is, the first TRP 260 broadcasts SIB(s) of the cellonly on the initial active DL BWP of the cell (e.g., which includesSS/PBCH Block1 325), in order to minimize the system overhead for SIdelivery. This approach is discussed in further detail below withreference to FIG. 5.

In a second approach, the first UE 255 attempts to blindly decode PDCCHaddressed by SI-RNTI in the C-SS 345 of the active DL BWP 340 during amodification period following the one in which the SI changenotification was received in the C-SS 345. The first UE 255 furtherreceives SI messages according to DCI in the decoded PDCCH. The PDCCHaddressed by SI-RNTI in the C-SS 345 of the active DL BWP 340 indicatesPDSCH carrying the SI message transmitted either in the initial activeDL BWP or in a DL BWP different from the initial active DL BWP. Forexample, if a decoded common PDCCH indicates a common PDSCH carrying aSI message is transmitted in the initial active DL BWP associated withSS/PBCH block1, the first UE 255 retunes to its initial active DL BWPand receives the corresponding SI message. This approach is discussed infurther detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, the second TRP 270 may transmit all or a part ofSIBs associated with SS/PBCH Block2 in the active DL BWP for UE2 350. Incertain embodiments, the second UE 265 may periodically switch back toits initial DL BWP (e.g., containing SS/PBCH Block2) according to a DLgap pattern. During the gaps of the DL gap pattern, no DL data/messagesare to be sent to the second UE 265 in the DL BWP 350. Thus, during theDL gaps the second UE 265 is able to retune to its initial DL BWP tomonitor for a message indicating updated SI. If the second UE 265receives an indication of SI modification (e.g., indicating updated SI),the second UE 265 proceeds to acquire one or more SIBs or SI messagescarrying the updated SI, as discussed in further detail below withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Note that because the third UE 275 has an active DL BWP that includesthe SS/PBCH Block3 and the associated C-SS 365, the third TRP 280 maytransmit all or a part of SIBs associated with SS/PBCH block in theactive DL BWP 360. Thus, the third TRP 280 may send updated SI over theinitial active DL BWP of the third UE 275 and the third UE 275 does notneed to switch DL BWP in order to receive the updated SI.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a procedure 400 forinitial SI acquisition, e.g., in a wideband carrier. The procedure 400may be implemented by a remote unit 105, such as the UE 205, the firstUE 255, the second UE 265, and/or the third UE 275. The remote unit 105acquires at least one SIB for a first cell in an initial active DL BWP(see block 405). The first cell may be associated with a specific baseunit 110, such as the RAN node 210, the first TRP 260, the second TRP270, and/or the third TRP 280. Further, the first cell may be a primarycell of the remote unit 105. Here, the SIB(s) may be essential systeminformation block(s) associated with a cell-defining SS/PBCH block. Asdiscussed above, the SIB may be broadcast periodically by the base unit110. The remote unit 105 may also acquire one or more SIBs using anon-demand SI request procedure. The system information acquired here bythe remote unit 105 is referred to as “initial system information.”

Having received the at least one SIB, the remote unit 105 establishes anRRC connection with the first cell (see block 410). Here, the remoteunit 105 establishes the RRC connection based on the acquired initialsystem information. After establishing the RRC connection, the base unit110 configures the remote unit 105 with at least one DL BWP of the firstcell (see block 415). Here, the base unit 110 may use higher layersignaling (e.g., RRC messages, MAC control elements, etc.) to send theDL BWP configuration.

During RRC connection establishment, the remote unit 105 may inform thebase unit 110 of one or more SIBs it is interested in, e.g., SIBsnecessary for UE operation (see block 420). Alternatively, the remoteunit 105 may inform the base unit 110 of the one or more SIBs necessaryfor UE operation after RRC connection establishment. The one or moreSIBs necessary for UE operation are referred to as “needed SIBs.” Invarious embodiments, the remote unit 105 uses higher layer signaling,such as an RRC message or MAC bitmap, to indicate the needed SIBs.

Moreover, the remote unit 105 may further receive an indication of afirst DL BWP selected from the configured BWP(s) of the first cell to bean active DL BWP for the remote unit 105. Regarding reacquisition of SI,for example acquiring updated SI of the first cell, the remote unit 105determines whether the active DL BWP is the same as the initial DL BWP(see decision block 425). If the active DL BWP is the same as theinitial DL BWP, then the remote unit 105 monitors system informationchange and continues acquiring the updated system information in theinitial DL BWP (see block 430). Here, the base unit 110 may send shortpaging messages, such as systemInfoModification, in paging DCI in theinitial DL BWP.

However, if the active DL BWP is different from the initial DL BWP, thenthe remote unit 105 monitors for an indication of updated systeminformation and acquires the updated system information (see block 435)according to one or more of the procedures discussed below withreference to FIGS. 5-8.

FIG. 5 depicts a first procedure 500 for acquiring modified SI whencommon search space (“C-SS”) is configured for the active DL BWP,according to embodiments of the disclosure. The first procedure 500 isone embodiment of step 435 in the procedure 400 and allows foracquisition of (e.g., modified) system information when the active DLBWP for the remote unit 105 is not the initial DL BWP. The firstprocedure 500 corresponds to the use case where a C-SS is configured inthe active DL BWP of the remote unit 105. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3,the first procedure 500 may be implemented by the first UE 255 becausethe active BWP 340 of the first UE 255 includes the C-SS 345 for SS/PBCHBlock1.

In the first use case, a common search space (“C-SS”) is configured inan active DL BWP for a remote unit 105, such as the first UE 255. Here,the C-SS is UE-specifically configured in a given active DL BWP. Here,the given active DL BWP is referred to as a “first DL BWP.” However,note that the “first DL BWP” is different than the initial active DLBWP. When so configured, the remote unit 105 monitors the C-SSconfigured in the first DL BWP.

The base unit 110 implicitly or explicitly configures one or more DL gappatterns. As used herein, a “DL gap pattern” refers to a pattern ofrecurring DL gaps. During a DL gap, the remote unit 105 is not expectedto receive any DL signal/channel in the current active DL BWP. Saidotherwise, the TRP (here the base unit 110) may not transmit any DLmessage or data to the remote unit 105 in the first DL BWP during a DLgap. The base unit 110 configures each of the one or more DL gappatterns taking into account one or more SI-window (e.g., periodicallyoccurring time domain windows) configurations for broadcast SIBs. Invarious embodiments, the base unit 110 broadcasts SIBs of the cell onlyon the initial active DL BWP of the cell in order to minimize systemoverhead for SI delivery. In such embodiments, the remote unit 105 mustretune to the initial active DL BWP (or default DL BWP) to receiveupdated SI.

The remote unit 105 monitors a C-SS configured in the first DL BWP (seeblock 505). The remote unit 105 determines whether paging message isreceived (e.g., via paging DCI or paging PDSCH in the C-SS in the firstDL BWP) indicating SI modification (see decision block 510). Asdiscussed above, SI modification may be indicated using a short pagingmessage, such as “systemInfoModification.”

Upon receiving indication of SI modification, the remote unit 105determines which DL gap pattern(s) it needs to employ in the first DLBWP (see block 515). Here, selection of the DL gap pattern(s) may bebased on the SIBs that it has to re-acquire (e.g., the needed SIBspreviously indicated to the base unit 110). Note that the base unit 110is also able to determine which DL gap pattern(s) the remote unit 105needs to employ, as the remote unit 105 transmits an indication of theneeded SIBs (e.g., via higher layer signaling) during the initialacquisition procedure discussed above with reference to FIG. 4.

Having identified the appropriate DL gap pattern(s), the remote unit 105switches (e.g., retunes its receiver) to the initial active DL BWP (ordefault DL BWP) during a DL gap (see block 520). In various embodiments,the DL gap is the first occurring DL gap in the selected DL gap patternafter the indication of SI modification is received (e.g., the nextoccurring DL gap after the paging DCI or paging PDSCH). Also, during theDL gap, the remote unit 105 receives one or more updated SIBs in theinitial active DL BWP (see block 525). Because the base unit 110 hasidentified which DL gap pattern(s) the UE 205 will employ for SIre-acquisition, during the DL gap of the first DL BWP the base unit 110can transmit to the remote unit 105 (and the remote unit 105 canreceive) UE-specific PDCCH and PDSCH (in addition to common PDCCH andPDSCH) in the initial active DL BWP.

In one example, the remote unit 105 applies a determined DL gap patternon slot ‘n+k’ or later if receiving paging DCI or paging PDSCHindicating SI modification on slot ‘n’. Here, the value ‘k’ may bepre-defined, UE-specifically configured, or cell-specificallyconfigured. Further, the remote unit 105 assumes that the actual DL gapfor the first DL BWP occurs in a modification period following the onein which the SI change notification was received.

In another example, a remote unit 105 using a DRX cycle shorter than orequal to the modification period, verifies that stored systeminformation remains valid by applying a default DL gap pattern for thefirst DL BWP, receiving SystemInformationBlockType1 in the initialactive DL BWP after the modification period boundary, and checkingsystemInfoValueTag in the received SystemInformationBlockType1. Here,the default DL gap pattern is configured for allowing the UE 205 toreceive SystemInformationBlockType1.

In various embodiments, at the end of the DL gap the remote unit 105switches back to the first DL BWP (see block 530). The remote unit 105may continue monitoring the C-SS for further indications of SImodification.

FIG. 6 depicts a second procedure 600 for acquiring modified SI whencommon search space (“C-SS”) is configured for the active DL BWP,according to embodiments of the disclosure. The second procedure 600 isanother embodiment of step 435 in the procedure 400 and allows foracquisition of (e.g., modified) system information when the active DLBWP for the remote unit 105 is not the initial DL BWP. The secondprocedure 600 corresponds to an alternative approach to the first usecase discussed above, where a C-SS is configured in the active DL BWP ofthe remote unit 105. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3, the second procedure600 may be implemented by the first UE 255 because the active BWP 340 ofthe first UE 255 includes the C-SS 345 for SS/PBCH Block1.

The remote unit 105 monitors a C-SS configured in the first DL BWP (seeblock 605). The remote unit 105 determines whether paging message isreceived (e.g., via paging DCI or paging PDSCH in the C-SS in the firstDL BWP) indicating SI modification (see decision block 610). Asdiscussed above, SI modification may be indicated using a short pagingmessage, such as “systemInfoModification.”

Upon receiving indication of SI modification, the remote unit 105decodes (e.g., attempts to blindly decode) PDCCH addressed by SI-RNTI inthe C-SS of the first DL BWP during the modification period followingthe one in which the SI change notification was received (see block615). In certain embodiments, PDCCH addressed by SI-RNTI in the C-SS ofthe active DL BWP (e.g., the first DL BWP) indicates PDSCH carrying theSI message transmitted in a second DL BWP. Here, the second DL BWP maybe the initial active DL BWP or a DL BWP different from the initialactive DL BWP. In one embodiment, the second DL BWP is the same as thefirst DL BWP. In other embodiments, the second DL BWP is different thanthe first DL BWP.

In one example, the base unit 110 transmits PDSCH(s) carrying SImessages only in the initial active DL BWP for system overheadreduction. In another example, the base unit 110 transmits multiplePDSCH(s) carrying the same SI message in the frequency domain, at leastincluding the first DL BWP, so that the remote unit 105 does not have toretune from the first DL BWP to the initial active DL BWP. In yetanother example, some SI messages are transmitted only in the initialactive DL BWP of the cell, and other SI messages are transmittedmultiple instances in the frequency domain (e.g., transmitted in boththe first DL BWP and the initial active DL BWP).

Additionally, the remote unit 105 uses the PDCCH addressed by SI-RNTI inthe C-SS of the first DL BWP to identify one or more slots in whichPDSCH(s) carrying the SI messages are transmitted on the second DL BWP(see block 620). Note that in the embodiments of FIG. 6, the remote unit105 does not need to be configured with DL gap patterns nor does theremote unit 105 need to identify which DL gap pattern to employ.Instead, the PDCCH addressed by SI-RNTI is used to identify when the SImessages containing modified/updated SI are to be delivered.

Where the second DL BWP is different than the first DL BWP, the remoteunit 105 switches (e.g., retunes) to the second DL BWP at an appropriatetime based on the identified one or more slots (see block 625). The timeat which the remote unit 105 retunes to the second DL BWP may be basedon the capabilities of the remote unit 105.

Additionally, the remote unit 105 receives at least one PDSCH (e.g.,receives messages on one or more PDSCH) in the second DL BWP carrying SImessages during the identified slot(s) (see block 630). Because the baseunit 110 is able to identify which slots the remote unit 105 will tuneto in the second DL BWP (unless remote unit 105 misses the DL resourceassignment(s) for PDSCH(s) carrying the SI messages of interest), thebase unit 110 can transmit UE-specific PDCCH and/or UE-specific PDSCH tothe remote unit 105 in the second DL BWP during the identified slot(s).For those slots, the remote unit 105 may monitor UE-specific PDCCH andpotentially receive UE-specific PDSCH in addition to reception ofPDSCH(s) carrying the SI messages in the second DL BWP. Moreover, thebase unit 110 does not transmit any DL signal/channel for the remoteunit 105 in the first DL BWP during the identified slot(s).

In various embodiments of the second procedure 600, the remote unit 105switches back to the first DL BWP after receiving a modified systeminformation (see block 635). The remote unit 105 may continue monitoringthe C-SS for further indications of SI modification.

In various embodiments of the first procedure 500 and/or secondprocedure 600, the system information change indication in pagingmessage or paging DCI includes an indication of at least a portion ofthe one or more SIBs (or SI messages) that will change. The change ofspecific SIBs (or SI messages) may be indicated by a SI message-specificvalue tag (e.g., systemInfoValueTag/systemInfoConfigurationIndex) and/oran area ID (e.g., systemInfoAreaIdentifier) associated with the SIB (orSI message). Here, the remote unit 105 may receive only the SIBs or SImessages containing modified SI.

However, if the SI change indication on the active/first DL BWP in amodification period: a) does not include any information of which SIBs(or SI messages) have changed or b) indicates that SIB1 needs to bereacquired, then the remote unit 105 may retune to a second DL BWP atthe next modification period boundary to acquire the changes to the SI.The second DL BWP may be an initial active DL BWP or a second DL BWPwhich may be configured by the gNB for SI reception. In one embodiment,the second DL BWP used to re-acquire SI may be indicated in the SIchange indication.

In one example, the remote unit 105 retunes to the second DL BWP for aduration equal to the modification period. In the context of the firstprocedure 500, the DL gap includes the modification period and may alsoinclude the retuning time (one or more OFDM symbols or slots) forswitching between the first DL BWP and the second DL BWP. The remoteunit 105 may not be expected to receive DL in a portion of the slotcorresponding to the BWP retuning time at the end of the precedingmodification period and at the start of the subsequent modificationperiod (e.g., following the modification period in which updated SI isprovide).

In one example, the remote unit 105 acquires updated SI informationcorresponding to the SIBs provided via periodic broadcast basis asindicated in SIB1 on the second DL BWP and updated SI corresponding tothe SIBs provided via only on-demand basis on the first DL BWP byperforming SI request on the first DL BWP. Information for the remoteunit 105 to perform SI request on the first DL BWP may be indicated inthe SIB1 or configured to the remote unit 105, e.g., during a BWPconfiguration procedure.

In some examples, following reacquiring of SIB1 (if needed) whichincludes time-domain scheduling information (e.g., periodicity,SI-window size) of SI messages, information on the availability of otherSIBs and to which SI-message a particular SIB is mapped to (a SI-messagemay carry one or more SIBs), to reacquire an SI-message with updatedSIB(s) SI information, the UE 205 may retune/switch to the second DL BWPat the start of the SI-window corresponding to the SI-message to receivethe SI-message. Here, the duration of the switch/retuning to the secondDL BWP may be the duration of the SI-window.

If the remote unit 105 requires more than one SI-message with SI-windowsin close proximity (e.g., having a gap between the SI-window occasionsof different SI-message of less than a certain number ofslots/subframes), the duration of the switch/retuning to the second DLBWP may last from the beginning of the earliest SI-window to the end ofthe latest SI-window of the SI-windows corresponding to the more thanone SI-message. Here, the number of slots/subframes may bepre-configured (e.g., hard-coded in specification) or configured to theremote unit 105 (e.g., based on UE capability).

In some examples, the remote unit 105 may accumulate SI-Messagetransmissions across several SI-Windows within the Modification Period.Here, the number of SI-windows to accumulate may bepre-configured/hard-coded in specification or configured to the remoteunit 105, e.g., based on UE capability and may be relative to the startof the modification period. The number of SI-windows the remote unit 105may monitor for SI message reception may be different for periodicbroadcast SI-messages (SI message acquisition not triggered due to UErequest) than for on-demand SI-messages (SI message acquisitiontriggered due to UE request). The remote unit 105 may take the number ofSI-windows to accumulate for a SI-message into account to determine thenumber of retuning/DL gap periods and the retuning/gap period the remoteunit 105 is allowed for switching to the second DL BWP to acquireupdated SI information.

In one example, a remote unit 105 receives an indication that the firstDL BWP is different than the second DL BWP on which SI information istransmitted for at least periodic broadcast SIBs, thereby requiring theremote unit 105 to retune/switch to the second DL BWP to receive atleast the updated periodic broadcast SIBs (due to SI change indication).Here, the remote unit 105 may, after acquiring the updated SIinformation for all the required SIBs (or at least the periodicbroadcast SIBs on the second DL BWP), indicate/acknowledge to the baseunit 110 successful completion of the SI update procedure for all therequired SIBs (or at least the periodic broadcast SIBs on the second DLBWP). This acknowledgement may be sent on the first DL BWP and maycorrespond to a dedicated SR signal, a PRACH signal, or a SIacknowledgement higher layer signaling (e.g., MAC CE) sent on PUSCH.During the retuning/switch/gap period on the second DL BWP, the remoteunit 105 may receive UE-specific PDCCH and PDSCH in the second DL BWP.

FIG. 7 depicts a third procedure 700 for acquiring modified SI whencommon search space (“C-SS”) is not configured for the active DL BWP,according to embodiments of the disclosure. The third procedure 700 isanother embodiment of step 435 in the procedure 400 and allows foracquisition of (e.g., modified) system information when the active DLBWP for the remote unit 105 is not the initial DL BWP. The thirdprocedure 700 corresponds to a first approach to a second use case,where a C-SS is not configured in the active DL BWP of the remote unit105. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3, the third procedure 700 may beimplemented by the second UE 265 because the active BWP 350 of thesecond UE 265 does not include the C-SS 355 for SS/PBCH Block2.

The remote unit 105 receives a DL gap pattern (see block 705). In thesecond use case, C-SS is not configured for any of active DL BWP(s) ofthe remote unit 105, thus the remote unit 105 cannot monitor a C-SS forpaging messages related to SI modification. In one embodiment, the baseunit 110 (e.g., the second TRP 270) may configure the remote unit 105(e.g., the second UE 265) with a first DL gap pattern for at least oneactive DL BWP. In certain embodiments, the remote unit 105 may beconfigured with a second DL BWP for reception of paging messages and/orSI messages. In various embodiments, the second DL BWP is the initialactive DL BWP of the remote unit 105. Here, the first DL gap pattern isused by the remote unit 105 for reception of paging messages (or pagingDCI) indicating the SI modification in a second DL BWP of the cell.Based on reported UE capability information, the base unit 110 maycommand the remote unit 105 to apply the signaled first DL gap patternfor all active BWPs without C-SS or for some selected active BWPs.

Accordingly, the remote unit 105 switches to the second DL BWP based onthe first DL gap pattern (see block 710). As discussed above, the DL gappattern indicates time periods in which no DL channels/signals aretransmitted to the remote unit 105 on the first DL BWP (e.g., active DLBWP). Note that the base unit 110 may transmit DL channels/signals toother served units during a DL gap of the remote unit 105. Similarly,other base units 110 sharing the same wideband carrier may also transmitDL channels/signals to other serve units during a DL gap of the remoteunit 105.

During at least a part of the DL gap, the remote unit 105 monitors thesecond DL BWP for reception of paging messages indicating SImodification (see block 715). Note that the DL gap may include time forthe remote unit 105 to retune its receiver to the second DL BWP (andadditional time to retune the receiver to the first DL BWP). If nopaging messages indicating SI modification are received in the second DLBWP, the remote unit 105 switches back to the first DL BWP (see block720). Note that the remote unit 105 may again switch to the second DLBWP based on the first DL gap pattern to monitor for paging messagesindicating SI modification.

In certain embodiments, the remote unit 105 is configured with a thirdDL BWP for receiving SI messages. In some embodiments, the third DL BWPis different than the second DL BWP use for receiving paging messagesindicating SI modification. In one embodiment, the third DL BWP may bethe initial active DL BWP. Alternatively, the third DL BWP may bedifferent than the initial active DL BWP.

Moreover, the remote unit 105 may be configured with a second DL gappattern used for reception of SI messages that the remote unit 105 isinterested in. The second DL gap pattern may have a differentarrangement of DL gaps and/or different duration of DL gaps than thefirst DL gap pattern. In various embodiments, the remote unit 105applies the second DL gap pattern for reception of the SI messages, onlyif remote unit 105 receives paging DCI or a paging message indicating SImodification (see block 725). During the DL gap in the at least oneactive DL BWP (e.g., of the first or second DL gap pattern), the remoteunit 105 can receive UE-specific PDCCH and PDSCH in the initial activeDL BWP or the (second) DL BWP configured for reception of the SImessages (see block 730).

In various embodiments of the third procedure 700, the remote unit 105switches back to the first DL BWP after receiving the modified systeminformation (see block 720). The remote unit 105 may continue switchingto the second DL BWP to monitor for further indications of SImodification based on the first DL gap pattern.

FIG. 8 depicts a third procedure 800 for acquiring modified SI whencommon search space (“C-SS”) is not configured for the active DL BWP,according to embodiments of the disclosure. The third procedure 800 isanother embodiment of step 435 in the procedure 400 and allows foracquisition of (e.g., modified) system information when the active DLBWP for the remote unit 105 is not the initial DL BWP. The thirdprocedure 800 corresponds to a second approach to the second use case,where a C-SS is not configured in the active DL BWP of the remote unit105. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3, the third procedure 800 may beimplemented by the second UE 265 because the active BWP 350 of thesecond UE 265 does not include the C-SS 355 for SS/PBCH Block2.

The remote unit 105 receives a DL gap pattern (see block 805). In someembodiments, the base unit 110 (e.g., the second TRP 270) may configurethe remote unit 105 (e.g., the second UE 265) with a first DL gappattern for at least one active DL BWP. In certain embodiments, theremote unit 105 may be configured with a second DL BWP for reception ofpaging messages and/or SI messages. In various embodiments, the secondDL BWP is the initial active DL BWP of the remote unit 105.

Here, the first DL gap pattern is used by the remote unit 105 forreception of System Information Block Type1 (SIB1), e.g., in the initialactive DL BWP, after the modification period boundary. Based on reportedUE capability information, the base unit 110 may command the remote unit105 to apply the signaled first DL gap pattern for all active BWPswithout C-SS or for some selected active BWPs. Accordingly, the remoteunit 105 switches to the second DL BWP (e.g., initial active DL BWP)based on the first DL gap pattern (see block 810).

During at least a part of the DL gap, the remote unit 105 receives theSIB1 on the second DL BWP (see block 815). In various embodiments, SIB1is transmitted in the initial active DL BWP, thus the remote unit 105switches to the initial active DL BWP based on the first DL gap patternto receive SIB1. Additionally, the remote unit 105 determines whetherthe SIB1 indicates SI modification (see block 820).

In various embodiments, the remote unit 105 checks a systemInfoValueTagin the received SIB1 to determine whether to update the stored systeminformation or not. For example, the remote unit 105 may determinewhether the existing stored system information is not valid any morebased on checking of systemInfoValueTag in the received SIB1. The remoteunit 105 may also check the area ID (systemInfoAreaIdentifier) in thereceived SIB1. In one embodiment, the value tag and area ID may becommon for all SIBs and SI-messages such that the remote unit 105 isinformed about changes in system information with change to the valuetag and/or area ID, but no further details are provided e.g. regardingwhich system information will change. In another embodiment, the valuetag and area ID may be SIB1 and SI-message specific indicating SI changefor SIB1 and/or for the specific SI-message.

If SIB1 does not indicate SI modification, then the remote unit 105 mayswitch back to the first DL BWP (see block 825). Note that the remoteunit 105 may again switch to the second DL BWP based on the first DL gappattern to monitor for paging messages indicating SI modification.

In certain embodiments, the remote unit 105 is configured with a thirdDL BWP for receiving SI messages. In some embodiments, the third DL BWPis different than the second DL BWP use for receiving SIB1 indicating SImodification. In one embodiment, the third DL BWP may be the initialactive DL BWP. Alternatively, the third DL BWP may be different than theinitial active DL BWP.

Moreover, the remote unit 105 may be configured with a second DL gappattern used for reception of SI messages that the remote unit 105 isinterested in. The second DL gap pattern may have a differentarrangement of DL gaps and/or different duration of DL gaps than thefirst DL gap pattern. In various embodiments, the remote unit 105applies the second DL gap pattern for reception of the SI messages, onlyif the remote unit 105 identifies that the existing stored systeminformation is not valid any more, e.g., based on checking ofsystemInfoValueTag in the received SIB1. The remote unit 105 may alsocheck the area ID (systemInfoAreaIdentifier) in the received SIB1, asdiscussed above. During the DL gap in the at least one active DL BWP(e.g., of the first or second DL gap pattern), the remote unit 105 canreceive UE-specific PDCCH and PDSCH in the initial active DL BWP or the(second) DL BWP configured for reception of the SI messages (see block835).

In various embodiments of the third procedure 800, the remote unit 105switches back to the first DL BWP after receiving the modified systeminformation (see block 825). The remote unit 105 may continue switchingto the second DL BWP to monitor for further indications of SImodification based on the first DL gap pattern.

In other embodiments of step 435 of FIG. 4, the base unit 110 may sendthe updated SI messages via dedicated signaling (e.g. UE-specific PDCCHand/or PDSCH) to the remote unit 105 operated in an active DL BWPdifferent from the initial active DL BWP. In one example, the base unit110 pushes all SI messages when any change happens or when ETWS or CMASbecomes available. In another example, the base unit 110 pushes SIBs inwhich the remote unit 105 is interested, only when necessary, e.g. achange of these SIBs occur or some of these SIBs become available. Inboth examples, the base unit 110 is responsible to maintain or send theup-to-date system information to the UE. Thus, the remote unit 105 doesnot treat the cell(s) as barred if the base unit 110 did not providesome essential SIB(s) but may repeat the SI/SIB requests. Further, thebase unit 110 may send only the updated system information, i.e.information elements which are different from the previous values, toreduce the signaling overhead.

For UE demanded SIBs (e.g. use-case specific system information), theremote unit 105 requests for a specific SIB(s) and the base unit 110provides the requested SIB(s) via dedicated signaling. Alternatively,the remote unit 105 may indicate which SIB(s) it needs to (re)-acquirevia higher layer signaling (e.g. RRC or MAC) and expects that duringspecific SIB acquisition (i.e. SI-window corresponding to the specificSIB) the base unit 110 will transmit scheduling information for DLand/or uplink (UL) channels in the initial active (or default) DL BWP.

For a SCell, the remote unit 105 may not be configured with the C-SS forany of configured DL BWP(s) of the SCell. In one example, the base unit110 provides the remote unit 105 with the required SI initially and theupdated SI later by dedicated signaling. In another example, an RRCprocedure for the remote unit 105 which removes and adds back the SCellalong with the updated SI or which reconfigures one or more DL BWP(s)along with the updated SI is used to update the SI.

FIG. 9 depicts one example of a paging-SearchSpace information element900, according to embodiments of the disclosure. A remote unit 105, suchas the UE 205, uses the information element 900 to determine PDCCHmonitoring symbols/slots, e.g., to receive a paging message. In 3GPP NR,a paging occasion is defined as a number of slots where the UE 205 hasto monitor the PDCCH carrying paging DCI. The UE 205 may compute its ownpaging frame and paging occasion within the paging frame based on its UEidentity and a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle length.

A control resource set (CORESET) configuration for paging DCI can be thesame as the CORESET configuration for PDCCH carrying RMSI schedulinginformation, while PDCCH monitoring symbols/slots can be different andseparately configured with the higher layer parameter‘paging-SearchSpace.’ Note that the CORESET configuration may include atleast one of: subcarrier spacing, a CP length, a number of consecutiveresource blocks, a number of consecutive symbols, resource element group(REG) bundle size, and control channel element (CCE) to REG mappingtype.

The UE 205 determines a number of consecutive resource blocks and anumber of consecutive symbols for the control resource set ofType0-PDCCH common search space (for a DCI format with cyclic redundancycode (CRC) scrambled by a SI-RNTI on a primary cell) from the first fourbits of RMSI-PDCCH-Config and determines PDCCH monitoring occasions fromthe second four bits of RMSI-PDCCH-Config. The allowed PDCCHconfigurations for PDCCH carrying RMSI scheduling information includethe following three different multiplexing types for a SS/PBCH block anda corresponding CORESET (i.e. the CORESET which is spatiallyquasi-co-located with the SS/PBCH block): Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.

For Type 1, the SS/PBCH block and the corresponding RMSI CORESET occurin different time instances, and a SS/PBCH block transmit bandwidth andthe initial active DL BWP containing RMSI CORESET overlap.

For Type 2, the SS/PBCH block and the RMSI CORESET occur in differenttime instances, and the SS/PBCH block transmit bandwidth and the initialactive DL BWP containing RMSI CORESET do not overlap.

For Type 3, the SS/PBCH block and the RMSI CORESET occur in the sametime instance, and the SS/PBCH block transmit bandwidth and the initialactive DL BWP containing RMSI CORESET do not overlap.

The configuration framework of RMSI CORESET monitoring occasions definedfor Type 1 multiplexing can be easily extended to define multiple setsof CORESET monitoring occasions for all RMSI/paging CORESETs defined forType 1/2/3 multiplexing, wherein each set of CORESET monitoringoccasions corresponds to one paging occasion. In one example, at leastone paging occasion may be the same as RMSI monitoring occasions.

In various embodiments, the information element 900 may have thefollowing components: pagingOccasionList, pagingFrameDuration, andPagingOccasion. The pagingOccasionList is a list of one or more pagingoccasion configurations. In one embodiment, the number of pagingoccasions per paging frame is determined by the number of pagingoccasion configurations. In certain embodiments, the first pagingoccasion is always same as RMSI monitoring occasions (i.e., Type0-PDCCHcommon search space) and the configuration for the first paging occasionis not explicitly signaled. The pagingFrameDuration indicates the lengthof a paging frame. In one embodiment, the value of pagingFrameDurationindicates 1 radio frame. In another embodiment, the value ofpagingFrameDuration indicates 2 radio frames.

The PagingOccasion parameter may include a plurality of components. Theparameter groupOffset (O) is based on the subcarrier spacing of theSS/PBCH block. In the depicted embodiment, the groupOffset is selectedfrom possible values {0, 2, 5, 7} when subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCHblock is 15 kHz or 30 kHz and is selected from possible values {0, 2.5,5, 7.5} when subcarrier spacing of SS/PBCH is 120 kHz or 240 kHz. Theparameter nrofSearchSpaceSetsPerSlot (N) indicates the number of searchspace sets and, in the depicted embodiment, is selected from possiblevalues {1, 2}. The parameter slotIncrementStep (M) indicates anincremental step size and, in the depicted embodiment, is selected frompossible values {½, 1, 2}. The parameter startOFDMsymbol indicates astarting symbol of the paging occasion and, in the depicted embodiment,is selected from possible values {0, 1, 2, 3, . . . , 12, 13}. Theparameter slotOffset (K) indicates a slot offset and, in the depictedembodiment, is selected from possible values {0, 1}.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, for SS/PBCH block with index i and a given‘PagingOccasion’ configuration, a UE 205 can determine an index of thepaging occasion slot n₀ in a paging frame using equation 1, below:

n ₀=(O·2^(μ) +└i·M┘+K) mod N _(slot) ^(paging frame,μ),  Equation 1

Here O is a group offset, M is a slot increment step, K is a slotoffset, as defined above, μ is subcarrier spacing (in kHz) of pagingPDCCH normalized by 15 kHz, and N_(slot) ^(paging frame,μ) is the numberof slots per paging frame in the paging PDCCH subcarrier spacing, μ.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the paging occasion parameters,such as the slotIncrementStep (M), slotOffset (K), and/or the pagingsearch-space set in the paging occasion slot n₀, may be dependent on theUE-ID.

FIG. 10 depicts one embodiment of a user equipment apparatus 1000 thatmay be used for SI delivery in a wideband carrier, according toembodiments of the disclosure. The user equipment apparatus 1000 may beone embodiment of the remote unit 105 and/or the UE 205, describedabove. Furthermore, the user equipment apparatus 1000 may include aprocessor 1005, a memory 1010, an input device 1015, an output device1020, a transceiver 1025 for communicating with one or more base units110.

As depicted, the transceiver 1025 may include a transmitter 1030 and areceiver 1035. The transceiver 1025 may also support one or more networkinterfaces 1040, such as the Uu interface used to communicate with agNB. In some embodiments, the input device 1015 and the output device1020 are combined into a single device, such as a touchscreen. Incertain embodiments, the user equipment apparatus 1000 may not includeany input device 1015 and/or output device 1020.

The processor 1005, in one embodiment, may include any known controllercapable of executing computer-readable instructions and/or capable ofperforming logical operations. For example, the processor 1005 may be amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (“CPU”), agraphics processing unit (“GPU”), an auxiliary processing unit, a fieldprogrammable gate array (“FPGA”), or similar programmable controller. Insome embodiments, the processor 1005 executes instructions stored in thememory 1010 to perform the methods and routines described herein. Theprocessor 1005 is communicatively coupled to the memory 1010, the inputdevice 1015, the output device 1020, and the transceiver 1025.

In some embodiments, the processor 1005 acquires at least one systeminformation block for a first cell in an initial active DL BWP.Moreover, the processor 1005 controls the transceiver 1025 to establishan RRC connection with the first cell based on the acquired at least onesystem information block. The transceiver 1025 receives a configurationincluding at least one DL BWP of the first cell via higher layersignaling and further receives an indication of a first DL BWP selectedfrom the configured at least one BWP of the first cell as an active DLBWP. Moreover, the processor 1005 controls the transceiver to transmitvia higher layer signaling an indication of one or more SIBs necessaryfor UE operation to a network entity, wherein the first DL BWP isdifferent from the initial active DL BWP.

In certain embodiments, the first cell is a primary cell of a primarycell group or a primary secondary cell of a secondary cell group. Insome embodiments, the at least one system information block is acquiredfrom at least one of broadcast signaling and an on-demand SI requestprocedure. In one embodiment, the indication of the one or more SIBsnecessary for UE operation is transmitted via at least one of an RRCmessage and a MAC bitmap.

In some embodiments, the transceiver 1025 receives a C-SS configurationof the first DL BWP. In such embodiments, the transceiver 1025 receivesan indication of at least one DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP andreceives a paging message indicating system information modification,wherein the paging message indicating system information modification isincluded in a PDCCH of the configured C-SS. Moreover, the processor 1005selects a DL gap pattern from the indicated at least one DL gap patternof the first DL BWP based on the one or more SIBs necessary for UEoperation and re-tunes to the initial active DL BWP based on theselected DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP to re-acquire updated systeminformation of the first cell in the initial active DL BWP. Here, theuser equipment apparatus is expected to receive a DL signal/channel notin the first DL BWP but in the initial active DL BWP during a DL gap ofthe selected DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP.

Additionally, when receiving a C-SS configuration of the first DL BWP,the processor 1005 may decode a PDCCH in the configured C-SS of thefirst DL BWP, wherein a CRC of the decoded PDCCH is scrambled by SI-RNTIand identify at least one slot, where at least one PDSCH carrying theone or more SIBs necessary for UE operation is transmitted by thenetwork entity on a second DL BWP, based on the decoded PDCCH. Theprocessor 1005 further re-tunes to the second DL BWP, and re-acquiringupdated system information of the first cell in the second DL BWP on theidentified at least one slot, wherein the second DL BWP is differentfrom the first DL BWP and the UE is expected to receive a DLsignal/channel not in the first DL BWP but in the second DL BWP on theidentified at least one slot.

In further embodiments, the transceiver 1025 may receive a pagingmessage indicating system information modification in the configuredC-SS of the first DL BWP, before the processor 1005 attempts to decodein the configured C-SS of the first DL BWP the PDCCH whose CRC isscrambled by SI-RNTI. In one embodiment, the second DL BWP is same asthe initial active DL BWP. In another embodiment, the second DL BWP isdifferent from the initial active DL BWP.

In some embodiments, the transceiver 1025 may receive updated systeminformation via dedicated signaling in the first DL BWP. In oneembodiment, the processor 1005 controls the transceiver 1025 to maintainthe RRC connection with the first cell when the updated systeminformation corresponding to one or more essential SIB(s) is notprovided by the network entity (e.g., a RAN node 210, such as a gNB) andsend a request for the updated system information. In certainembodiments, the updated system information includes one or moreinformation elements, wherein values of the one or more informationelements are different from the previous values.

In various embodiments, the transceiver 1025 may receive a configurationfor a first DL gap pattern and a second DL gap pattern, wherein theprocessor 1005 re-tunes to a second DL BWP based on the first DL gappattern and determining in the second DL BWP whether system informationwill be or has been modified or not, and re-tunes to a third DL BWPbased on the second DL gap pattern and receiving updated systeminformation in the third DL BWP, if it is determined that the systeminformation will be or has been modified. Here, a C-SS of the first DLBWP is not configured, the second and third DL BWP(s) are different fromthe first DL BWP, and the user equipment apparatus 1000 is expected toreceive a DL signal/channel not in the first DL BWP, but in the secondDL BWP during a DL gap of the first DL gap pattern and in the third DLBWP during a DL gap of the second DL gap pattern.

In one such embodiment, the first DL gap pattern may be used forreceiving a paging message indicating SI modification in the second DLBWP. In another such embodiment, the first DL gap pattern may be usedfor receiving a SystemInformationBlockType1 (SIB1) in the second DL BWP,wherein systemInfoValueTag in the SIB1 is used to determine whether toupdate stored system information or not. In one embodiment, the secondDL BWP is same as the third DL BWP. In another embodiment, the second DLgap pattern is based on the one or more SIBs necessary for UE operation.

In certain embodiments, the transceiver 1025 receives one or more pagingoccasion configurations in a system information block and the processor1005 determines at least one paging frame and at least one pagingoccasion identity within the at least one paging frame based on at leastone of a UE identity and a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle length.Moreover, the processor 1005 may select at least one paging occasionconfiguration from the received one or more paging occasionconfigurations (the selected at least one paging occasion configurationbeing associated with the determined at least one paging occasionidentity) and determine at least one paging slot and at least one pagingsymbol within the determined at least one paging slot based on theselected at least one paging occasion configuration. Further, theprocessor 1005 attempts to decode a PDCCH carrying paging DCI on thedetermined at least one paging symbol within the determined at least onepaging slot of the determined at least one paging frame.

In one embodiment, each of the received one or more paging occasionconfigurations is associated with a paging occasion identity. In certainembodiments, determining the at least one paging frame is to determine astarting radio frame index of the at least one paging frame. In someembodiments, the transceiver 1025 further receives an indication of apaging frame duration. In one embodiment, the paging frame duration islonger than one radio frame duration.

In certain embodiments, the determined paging slot is in a pagingoccasion, wherein the paging occasion is determined based on the pagingoccasion configuration selected from the one or more paging occasionconfigurations and comprises a plurality of paging slots. In someembodiments, the processor 1005 selects a synchronizationsignal/physical broadcast channel block (“SS/PBCH block”) from aplurality of SS/PBCH blocks, wherein the determined paging slot and thepaging symbol within the determined paging slot are dependent on theselected SS/PBCH block.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more paging occasionconfigurations includes information used for determining a plurality ofpaging slots. In one embodiment, the information used for determiningthe plurality of paging slots includes information related to a startingpaging slot of the plurality of paging slots. In another embodiment, theinformation used for determining the plurality of paging slots includesinformation related to a slot increment step of the plurality of pagingslots. In certain embodiments, each of the one or more paging occasionconfigurations includes information related to a paging search spacewithin a paging slot, wherein the paging symbol is determined based onthe paging search space.

The memory 1010, in one embodiment, is a computer readable storagemedium. In some embodiments, the memory 1010 includes volatile computerstorage media. For example, the memory 1010 may include a RAM, includingdynamic RAM (“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic RAM (“SDRAM”), and/or staticRAM (“SRAM”). In some embodiments, the memory 1010 includes non-volatilecomputer storage media. For example, the memory 1010 may include a harddisk drive, a flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computerstorage device. In some embodiments, the memory 1010 includes bothvolatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

In some embodiments, the memory 1010 stores data relating to SI deliveryin a wideband carrier. For example, the memory 1010 may store schedulingdata, uplink data, logical channel mappings, and the like. In someembodiments, the memory 1010 also stores program code and related data,such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating onthe remote unit 105 and one or more software applications.

The input device 1015, in one embodiment, may include any known computerinput device including a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a stylus, amicrophone, or the like. In some embodiments, the input device 1015 maybe integrated with the output device 1020, for example, as a touchscreenor similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the inputdevice 1015 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboardand a touch panel. In certain embodiments, the input device 1015 mayinclude a camera for capturing images or otherwise inputting visualdata.

The output device 1020, in one embodiment, may include any knownelectronically controllable display or display device. The output device1020 may be designed to output visual, audible, and/or haptic signals.In some embodiments, the output device 1020 includes an electronicdisplay capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, theoutput device 1020 may include, but is not limited to, an LCD display,an LED display, an OLED display, a projector, or similar display devicecapable of outputting images, text, or the like to a user.

In certain embodiments, the output device 1020 includes one or morespeakers for producing sound. For example, the output device 1020 mayproduce an audible alert or notification (e.g., a beep or chime). Insome embodiments, the output device 1020 includes one or more hapticdevices for producing vibrations, motion, or other haptic feedback. Insome embodiments, all or portions of the output device 1020 may beintegrated with the input device 1015. For example, the input device1015 and output device 1020 may form a touchscreen or similartouch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, the output device 1020may be located near the input device 1015.

The transceiver 1025 communicates with base units 110 of a mobilecommunication network. The transceiver 1025 may include one or moretransmitters 1030 and one or more receivers 1035. As discussed above,the transceiver 1025 may support one or more the network interface 1040for communicating with the base unit 110.

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 1100 for SI delivery in a wideband carrier, according toembodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 1100 isperformed by a remote unit, such as the remote unit 105, the UE 205,thefirst UE 255, the second UE 265, the third UE 275, and/or the userequipment apparatus 1000. In certain embodiments, the method 1100 may beperformed by a processor executing program code, for example, amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processingunit, a FPGA, or the like.

The method 1100 begins and acquires 1105 a SIB for a first cell in aninitial active DL BWP.

The method 1100 includes establishing 1110 a RRC connection with thefirst cell based on the acquired at least one system information block.

The method 1100 includes transmitting 1115 an indication of one or moreSIBs necessary for UE operation to a network entity.

The method 1100 includes switching 1120 to a first DL BWP, wherein thefirst DL BWP is different from the initial active DL BWP. The method1100 ends.

FIG. 12 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 1200 for receiving a paging message, according to embodimentsof the disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 1200 is performed bya remote unit, such as the remote unit 105, the UE 205,the first UE 255,the second UE 265, the third UE 275, and/or the user equipment apparatus1000. In certain embodiments, the method 1200 may be performed by aprocessor executing program code, for example, a microcontroller, amicroprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, a FPGA, orthe like.

The method 1200 begins and receives 1205 one or more paging occasionconfigurations in a system information block.

The method 1200 includes determining 1210 a paging frame and a pagingoccasion identity within the paging frame based on at least one of: a UEidentity and a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle length.

The method 1200 includes selecting 1215 a paging occasion configurationfrom the received one or more paging occasion configurations, whereinthe selected paging occasion configuration is associated with thedetermined paging occasion identity.

The method 1200 includes determining 1220 a paging slot and a pagingsymbol within the determined paging slot based on the selected pagingoccasion configuration.

The method 1200 includes decoding 1225 a PDCCH carrying paging DCI onthe determined paging symbol within the determined paging slot of thedetermined paging frame. The method 1200 ends.

Disclosed herein is a first apparatus for system information delivery.The first apparatus may be a user terminal, such as the remote unit 105,the UE 205, the first UE 255, the second UE 265, the third UE 275,and/or the user equipment apparatus 1000. The first apparatus includes aprocessing unit (e.g., a processor 1005) that acquires a systeminformation block (“SIB”) for a first cell using an initial activedownlink bandwidth part (“DL BWP”) and establishes a radio resourcecontrol (“RRC”) connection with the first cell based on the acquiredSIB. The first apparatus includes a transceiver that transmits anindication of one or more SIBs necessary for remote unit operation to anetwork entity and switches to a first DL BWP, wherein the first DL BWPis different from the initial active DL BWP. Note that the processingunit may control the transceiver to acquire the SIB and establish theRRC connection. Here, the indication of the one or more SIBs necessaryfor remote unit operation may be transmitted via higher layer signaling.

In some embodiments, the first cell is one of: a primary cell of aprimary cell group and a primary secondary cell of a secondary cellgroup. In certain embodiments, the SIB is acquired from at least one of:broadcast signaling and an on-demand system information (“SI”) requestprocedure. In some embodiments, the indication of the one or more SIBsnecessary for remote unit operation is transmitted via at least one of:an RRC message and a media access control (“MAC”) bitmap.

In some embodiments, the processing unit receives (e.g., via thetransceiver) a common search space (“C-SS”) configuration of the firstDL BWP and the transceiver receives a paging message indicating systeminformation modification, wherein the paging message indicating systeminformation modification is included in a physical downlink controlchannel (“PDCCH”) of the configured C-S S. In such embodiments, theprocessing unit tunes to a second DL BWP different from the first DL BWPand acquires updated system information of the first cell in the secondDL BWP.

In some such embodiments, the processing unit receives (e.g., via thetransceiver) an indication of a DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP andselects a DL gap pattern from the indicated DL gap pattern of the firstDL BWP. Here, the selection may be based on the one or more SIBsnecessary for UE operation. Moreover, the second DL BWP may be theinitial active DL BWP. Further, tuning to the second DL BWP andacquiring the updated system information occurs based on the selected DLgap pattern.

In other such embodiments, the processing unit decodes a PDCCH in theconfigured C-SS of the first DL BWP in response to receiving the pagingmessage and identifying a slot for receiving SI based on the decodedPDCCH. Here, acquiring updated system information of the first cell inthe second DL BWP may include receiving a physical downlink sharedchannel (“PDSCH”) carrying the one or more SIBs necessary for remoteunit operation on the identified slot. In certain embodiments, thesecond DL BWP is different from the initial active DL BWP.

In some embodiments, the processing unit receives (e.g., via thetransceiver) a configuration for a first DL gap pattern and a second DLgap pattern, wherein no C-SS is configured for the first DL BWP andtuning to a second DL BWP based on the first DL gap pattern, the secondDL BWP being different than the first DL BWP. Here, the processing unitreceives in the second DL BWP (e.g., via the transceiver) an indicationof whether SI is modified and receives (e.g. via the transceiver)updated SI based on the second DL gap pattern in response to the SIbeing modified.

In such embodiments, receiving updated SI may include the apparatustuning to a third DL BWP based on the second DL gap pattern, wherein thethird DL BWP is different than both the second DL BWP and the first DLBWP. In other embodiments, the second DL BWP is same as the third DLBWP. In certain embodiments, the first DL gap pattern is used forreceiving a paging message indicating SI modification in the second DLBWP. In other embodiments, the first DL gap pattern is used forreceiving a first SIB in the second DL BWP, wherein the first SIBincludes the indication of whether SI is modified. In variousembodiments, the second DL gap pattern is based on the one or more SIBsnecessary for remote unit operation.

In still other embodiments, the processing unit receives (e.g., via thetransceiver) updated SI via dedicated signaling in the first DL BWP. Insuch embodiments, the processing unit may control the transceiver tosend a request for the updated SI in response to receiving an indicationof updates SI and in response to one or more essential SIBs not beingprovided by the network entity. Here, the network entity sends theupdated SI via dedicated signaling in the first DL BWP in response tothe request for updated SI.

Disclosed herein is a first method for system information delivery. Thefirst method may be performed by a user terminal, such as the remoteunit 105, the UE 205, the first UE 255, the second UE 265, the third UE275, and/or the user equipment apparatus 1000. The first method includesacquiring a system information block (“SIB”) for a first cell using aninitial active downlink bandwidth part (“DL BWP”) and establishing aradio resource control (“RRC”) connection with the first cell based onthe acquired SIB. The first method includes transmitting an indicationof one or more SIBs necessary for remote unit operation to a networkentity and switching to a first DL BWP, wherein the first DL BWP isdifferent from the initial active DL BWP. Here, the indication of theone or more SIBs necessary for remote unit operation may be transmittedvia higher layer signaling.

In some embodiments, the first cell is one of: a primary cell of aprimary cell group and a primary secondary cell of a secondary cellgroup. In certain embodiments, the SIB is acquired from at least one of:broadcast signaling and an on-demand system information (“SI”) requestprocedure. In some embodiments, the indication of the one or more SIBsnecessary for remote unit operation is transmitted via at least one of:an RRC message and a media access control (“MAC”) bitmap.

In some embodiments, the first method further includes receiving acommon search space (“C-SS”) configuration of the first DL BWP,receiving a paging message indicating system information modification,wherein the paging message indicating system information modification isincluded in a physical downlink control channel (“PDCCH”) of theconfigured C-SS, tuning to a second DL BWP, wherein the second DL BWP isdifferent from the first DL BWP, and acquiring updated systeminformation of the first cell in the second DL BWP.

In some such embodiments, the first method may include receiving anindication of a DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP and selecting a DLgap pattern from the indicated DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP basedon the one or more SIBs necessary for UE operation. Here, the second DLBWP is the initial active DL BWP and tuning to the second DL BWP andacquiring the updated system information occurs based on the selected DLgap pattern.

In other such embodiments, the first method may include decoding a PDCCHin the configured C-SS of the first DL BWP in response to receiving thepaging message and identifying a slot for receiving SI based on thedecoded PDCCH. Here, acquiring updated system information of the firstcell in the second DL BWP may include receiving a physical downlinkshared channel (“PDSCH”) carrying the one or more SIBs necessary forremote unit operation on the identified slot. In certain embodiments,the second DL BWP is different from the initial active DL BWP.

In some embodiments, the first method includes receiving a configurationfor a first DL gap pattern and a second DL gap pattern, wherein no C-SSis configured for the first DL BWP and tuning to a second DL BWP basedon the first DL gap pattern, the second DL BWP being different than thefirst DL BWP. Here, the first method further includes receiving, in thesecond DL BWP, an indication of whether SI is modified and receivingupdated SI based on the second DL gap pattern in response to the SIbeing modified.

In such embodiments, receiving updated SI may include tuning to a thirdDL BWP based on the second DL gap pattern, wherein the third DL BWP isdifferent than both the second DL BWP and the first DL BWP. In otherembodiments, the second DL BWP is same as the third DL BWP. In certainembodiments, the first DL gap pattern is used for receiving a pagingmessage indicating SI modification in the second DL BWP. In otherembodiments, the first DL gap pattern is used for receiving a first SIBin the second DL BWP, wherein the first SIB includes the indication ofwhether SI is modified. In various embodiments, the second DL gappattern is based on the one or more SIBs necessary for remote unitoperation.

In still other embodiments, the first method includes comprisingreceiving updated SI via dedicated signaling in the first DL BWP. Insuch embodiments, the first method may include sending a request for theupdated SI in response to receiving an indication of updates SI and inresponse to one or more essential SIBs not being provided by the networkentity.

Disclosed herein is a second apparatus for receiving a paging message.The second apparatus also may be a user terminal, such as the remoteunit 105, the UE 205, the first UE 255, the second UE 265, the third UE275, and/or the user equipment apparatus 1000. The second apparatusincludes a processing unit (e.g., a processor 1005) and a transceiver(e.g. transceiver 1025) that receives one or more paging occasionconfigurations in a system information block. The processing unitdetermines a paging frame and a paging occasion identity within thepaging frame based on at least one of: a UE identity and a discontinuousreception cycle length and selects a paging occasion configuration fromthe received one or more paging occasion configurations, wherein theselected paging occasion configuration is associated with the determinedpaging occasion identity. Moreover, the processing unit determines apaging slot and a paging symbol within the determined paging slot basedon the selected paging occasion configuration and decodes a physicaldownlink control channel (“PDCCH”) carrying paging downlink controlinformation (“DCI”) on the determined paging symbol within thedetermined paging slot of the determined paging frame.

In certain embodiments, each of the received one or more paging occasionconfigurations is associated with a paging occasion identity. In someembodiments, determining the paging frame comprises determining astarting radio frame index of the paging frame. In certain embodiments,the transceiver further receives an indication of a paging frameduration. In various embodiments, the paging frame duration is longerthan one radio frame duration.

In certain embodiments, the determined paging slot is in a pagingoccasion, wherein the paging occasion is determined based on the pagingoccasion configuration selected from the one or more paging occasionconfigurations and comprises a plurality of paging slots. In someembodiments, the processing unit further selects a synchronizationsignal/physical broadcast channel block (“SS/PBCH block”) from aplurality of SS/PBCH blocks, wherein the determined paging slot and thepaging symbol within the determined paging slot are dependent on theselected SS/PBCH block.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more paging occasionconfigurations includes information used for determining a plurality ofpaging slots. In one embodiment, the information used for determiningthe plurality of paging slots includes information related to a startingpaging slot of the plurality of paging slots. In another embodiment, theinformation used for determining the plurality of paging slots includesinformation related to a slot increment step of the plurality of pagingslots. In certain embodiments, each of the one or more paging occasionconfigurations includes information related to a paging search spacewithin a paging slot, wherein the paging symbol is determined based onthe paging search space.

Disclosed herein is a second method for receiving a paging message. Thesecond method may be performed by a user terminal, such as the remoteunit 105, the UE 205, the first UE 255, the second UE 265, the third UE275, and/or the user equipment apparatus 1000. The second methodincludes receiving one or more paging occasion configurations in asystem information block and determining a paging frame and a pagingoccasion identity within the paging frame based on one or more of: a UEidentity and a discontinuous reception cycle length. The second methodincludes selecting a paging occasion configuration from the received oneor more paging occasion configurations and determining a paging slot anda paging symbol within the determined paging slot based on the selectedpaging occasion configuration, wherein the selected paging occasionconfiguration is associated with the determined paging occasionidentity. The second method also includes decoding a physical downlinkcontrol channel (“PDCCH”) carrying paging downlink control information(“DCI”) on the determined paging symbol within the determined pagingslot of the determined paging frame.

In some embodiments, each of the received one or more paging occasionconfigurations is associated with a paging occasion identity. In certainembodiments, determining the paging frame comprises determining astarting radio frame index of the paging frame. In some embodiments, thesecond method further includes receiving an indication of a paging frameduration. In certain embodiments, the paging frame duration is longerthan one radio frame duration.

In certain embodiments, the determined paging slot is in a pagingoccasion, wherein the paging occasion is determined based on the pagingoccasion configuration selected from the one or more paging occasionconfigurations and comprises a plurality of paging slots. In someembodiments, the second method further includes selecting asynchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block (“SS/PBCHblock”) from a plurality of SS/PBCH blocks, wherein the determinedpaging slot and the paging symbol within the determined paging slot aredependent on the selected SS/PBCH block.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more paging occasionconfigurations includes information used for determining a plurality ofpaging slots. In one embodiment, the information used for determiningthe plurality of paging slots includes information related to a startingpaging slot of the plurality of paging slots. In another embodiment, theinformation used for determining the plurality of paging slots includesinformation related to a slot increment step of the plurality of pagingslots. In certain embodiments, each of the one or more paging occasionconfigurations includes information related to a paging search spacewithin a paging slot, wherein the paging symbol is determined based onthe paging search space.

Embodiments may be practiced in other specific forms. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A method of a remote unit, the method comprising: acquiring a systeminformation block (“SIB”) for a first cell using an initial activedownlink bandwidth part (“DL BWP”); establishing a radio resourcecontrol (“RRC”) connection with the first cell based on the acquiredSIB; transmitting an indication of one or more SIBs necessary for remoteunit operation to a network entity; and switching to a first DL BWP,wherein the first DL BWP is different from the initial active DL BWP. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the first cell is one of: a primary cellof a primary cell group and a primary secondary cell of a secondary cellgroup.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the SIB is acquired from atleast one of: broadcast signaling and an on-demand system information(“SI”) request procedure.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theindication of the one or more SIBs necessary for remote unit operationis transmitted via at least one of: an RRC message and a media accesscontrol (“MAC”) bitmap.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a common search space (“C-SS”) configuration of the first DLBWP; receiving a paging message indicating system informationmodification, wherein the paging message indicating system informationmodification is included in a physical downlink control channel(“PDCCH”) of the configured C-SS; tuning to a second DL BWP, wherein thesecond DL BWP is different from the first DL BWP; and acquiring updatedsystem information of the first cell in the second DL BWP.
 6. The methodof claim 5, further comprising: receiving an indication of a DL gappattern of the first DL BWP; and selecting a DL gap pattern from theindicated DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP based on the one or moreSIBs necessary for UE operation, wherein tuning to the second DL BWP andacquiring the updated system information occur based on the selected DLgap pattern, wherein the second DL BWP is the initial active DL BWP. 7.The method of claim 5, further comprising: decoding a PDCCH in theconfigured C-SS of the first DL BWP in response to receiving the pagingmessage; and identifying a slot for receiving SI based on the decodedPDCCH, wherein acquiring updated system information of the first cell inthe second DL BWP comprises receiving a physical downlink shared channel(“PDSCH”) carrying the one or more SIBs necessary for remote unitoperation on the identified slot.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thesecond DL BWP is different from the initial active DL BWP.
 9. The methodof claim 1, further comprising receiving updated system information(“SI”) via dedicated signaling in the first DL BWP.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: sending a request for the updated SI inresponse to receiving an indication of updates SI and in response to oneor more essential SIBs not being provided by the network entity.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a configuration for afirst DL gap pattern and a second DL gap pattern, wherein no commonsearch space (“C-SS”) is configured for the first DL BWP; tuning to asecond DL BWP based on the first DL gap pattern, the second DL BWP beingdifferent than the first DL BWP; receiving, in the second DL BWP, anindication of whether system information (“SI”) is modified; andreceiving updated SI based on the second DL gap pattern in response tothe SI being modified.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein receivingupdated SI comprises: tuning to a third DL BWP based on the second DLgap pattern, wherein the third DL BWP is different than both the secondDL BWP and the first DL BWP.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thesecond DL BWP is same as the third DL BWP.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein the first DL gap pattern is used for receiving a paging messageindicating SI modification in the second DL BWP.
 15. The method of claim11, wherein the first DL gap pattern is used for receiving a first SIBin the second DL BWP, wherein the first SIB includes the indication ofwhether SI is modified.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the secondDL gap pattern is based on the one or more SIBs necessary for remoteunit operation.
 17. An apparatus comprising: a processing unit that:acquires a system information block (“SIB”) for a first cell using aninitial active downlink bandwidth part (“DL BWP”); and establishes aradio resource control (“RRC”) connection with the first cell based onthe acquired SIB; and a transceiver that transmits an indication of oneor more SIBs necessary for remote unit operation to a network entity,wherein the processing unit switches to a first DL BWP, the first DL BWPbeing different from the initial active DL BWP.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the processing unit further: receives a common searchspace (“C-SS”) configuration of the first DL BWP; receives an indicationof a DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP; receives a paging messageindicating system information modification, wherein the paging messageindicating system information modification is included in a physicaldownlink control channel (“PDCCH”) of the configured C-SS; selects a DLgap pattern from the indicated DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP basedon the one or more SIBs necessary for UE operation; tunes to a second DLBWP based on the selected DL gap pattern of the first DL BWP, whereinthe second DL BWP is different from the first DL BWP; and acquiresupdated system information of the first cell in the second DL BWP. 19.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing unit further: receivesa common search space (“C-SS”) configuration of the first DL BWP;receives a paging message indicating system information modification,wherein the paging message indicating system information modification isincluded in a physical downlink control channel (“PDCCH”) of theconfigured C-SS; decodes a PDCCH in the configured C-SS of the first DLBWP in response to receiving the paging message; identifies a slot forreceiving SI based on the decoded PDCCH; tunes to a second DL BWP,wherein the second DL BWP is different from the first DL BWP; andreceives a physical downlink shared channel (“PDSCH”) carrying the oneor more SIBs necessary for remote unit operation on the identified slot.20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing unit further:receives updated system information (“SI”) via dedicated signaling inthe first DL BWP, and sends a request for the updated SI in response toreceiving an indication of updates SI and in response to one or moreessential SIBs not being provided by the network entity.